In which someone said: "I think this party needs a couple of STANDIES!"

Those New Yorkers.

They really know how to throw a party!

And more importantly, they really know whom to invite to a party.

From the article in today's New York Times:

Minutes before 8 p.m., the two gray Standardbred geldings — former pacers who raced at tracks like the Meadowlands before they were rescued by Lori and John Allegra, who trained them to pull larger carriages — emerged from the elevator. They were serene as they stepped through a kitchen area between stacks of dishes and scurrying cooks in chef hats.

That's right, people:

If you plan to invite two 17-hand horses to your fancy dress party at the Waldorf-Astoria,

for best possible results, make sure the horses are STANDARDBREDS.

Story and photos stolen shamelessly and without permission from the New York Times, Feb 04, 2011 edition. See the original article by clicking HERE. Thanks to Elizabeth Tewkesbury from the Standardbred Excellence blog, who shared the article on Facebook, which is where I snagged it.

In which it's a pretty day, so here's a vid to watch while I go ride

I took this a few days ago, when the sky was moderately clear and the Swamp was moderately cold.

Watching the video, I thought "Is Fiddle LAME"? Uh, no...the cameraperson was posting the trot with a camera in her hand. Whew.

Today, the Swamp is crunchy with ice and the sky is blue-blue-blue, and Jim and I are taking the horses out to meet Jennifer and one of HER horses so we can all evaluate some trails that are scheduled for closure.

(Can these trails be saved? Trailmasters to the rescue! Uh, maybe.)

I'll post details about that when I can.